"Did they state their destination?" Mori asked the native.
"No, but they went in that direction," he replied, pointing beyond Bandai-San.
"That's the way to the caves," muttered Nattie, then he added, aloud: "How long have they been gone?"
"Not twenty minutes, excellency. Look! you can see the dust still lingering above the bushes upon that hill. They are not to the base of the mountain yet."
After tossing the man a couple of yen, to repay him for the loss of his rice, Nattie put spurs to his horse and led the way up the path. Presently the party reached a species of tableland, near the summit of an almost inaccessible hill which rose near the base of the volcano.
CHAPTER XXXII. THE FLASHING OF THE SWORDS.
The spot seemed wild and desolate, there being no evidence of cultivation or of human habitation. On one side extended numerous deep ravines, which gave an air of solemnity to the scene. The narrow, seldom-used path turned sharply to the left in a direction away from their destination.
A halt was called upon a natural platform overgrown with brambles. Sumo, who had some knowledge of woodcraft, leaped from his horse and examined the brush.